MSD Ignition
Encyclopedia
MSD Ignition is an automotive aftermarket manufacturing company that specializes in high-end ignition system and electrical components.
of internal combustion engines in 1970. The idea was first proposed by a group of engineers working on the White Sands Missile Range
in southern New Mexico. The engineers worked for the research and development company Autotronic Controls Corporation (ACC) that was striving to develop leaner burning fuel systems to increase engine fuel efficiency. The engineers discovered that their limiting factor to efficiently burning the extremely lean air-fuel mixtures was that they did not have ample spark to ignite the mixtures . After a great deal of research and development they were able to introduce the first multiple spark system using capacitive discharge and put it on the market under the name Multiple Spark Discharge (MSD).
Shortly after coming onto the market, the new ignition system was also shown to work particularly well in racing applications in 1976. Word of mouth amongst top racers helped the product and the company's popularity grow like wildfire. Now, the 7AL from MSD is one of the most popular ignition systems amongst all performance race engines . The company moved to new facilities in El Paso, Texas and started to develop an extensive line of other automotive ignition products. Although the official legal name remains ACC even today, the products are sold under the name MSD Ignition in reference to their original unique multiple spark technology.
Today, 40 years after a nearly accidental start, MSD ignition is still recognized as a leader and pioneer in the automotive aftermarket performance industry. Though no longer family owned, the company has continued to pride itself on producing the highest quality ignition components, along with providing cutting edge new features. The company has seen some trouble in introducing such new features though. One incident involving "slew rate rev limiters" as a form of basic traction control caused a number of the company's products to be banned from a variety of sanctioning bodies . Still, other products are mandated as required parts for certain classes in those same race organizations . In fact, in his book Custom Auto Wiring and Electrical Matt Strong says, “…The company with the most experience in the field has to be MSD, who has at least two duplicate ignitions in every NASCAR series race vehicle (cars and trucks alike).” Strong concludes, “if you want reliable high performance, splurge for MSD’s high-performance billet aluminum electronic distributor.”
area since its inception. Today it has facilities with more than 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) between two buildings on the east side of the city. Currently business and engineering are mostly based out of a building that has been with the company for more than 20 years while the US manufacturing processes are just a block away in a state-of-the-art facility .
In 2004 the original owner of the company, Jack Priegel, sold the company to a private investing firm when he decided to retire. Gryphon Investors announced that it would be purchasing the company and brought in Dan Gresham as the CEO . Since that time MSD has been sold and changed management again.
MSD has three main divisions, currently: MSD Ignition, MSD Powersports, and MSD Pro-Mag. All of these are operated out of the same facilities, but aim to serve different segments in the industry.
named MSD's 6A ignition box into its second class of the Speed Parts Hall of Fame in 2009 in recognition of how the company has helped to shape the American racing industry . MSD also received honors as the SEMA
manufacturer of the year in both 2005 and 2007 . The current president of the company, Russell Stephens, has also served on the board of directors for SEMA (2002-2006) .
History
MSD Ignition was the first company in the world to experiment with Multiple Spark Discharge for the ignition systemIgnition system
An ignition system is a system for igniting a fuel-air mixture. Ignition systems are well known in the field of internal combustion engines such as those used in petrol engines used to power the majority of motor vehicles, but they are also used in many other applications such as in oil-fired and...
of internal combustion engines in 1970. The idea was first proposed by a group of engineers working on the White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range is a rocket range of almost in parts of five counties in southern New Mexico. The largest military installation in the United States, WSMR includes the and the WSMR Otera Mesa bombing range...
in southern New Mexico. The engineers worked for the research and development company Autotronic Controls Corporation (ACC) that was striving to develop leaner burning fuel systems to increase engine fuel efficiency. The engineers discovered that their limiting factor to efficiently burning the extremely lean air-fuel mixtures was that they did not have ample spark to ignite the mixtures . After a great deal of research and development they were able to introduce the first multiple spark system using capacitive discharge and put it on the market under the name Multiple Spark Discharge (MSD).
Shortly after coming onto the market, the new ignition system was also shown to work particularly well in racing applications in 1976. Word of mouth amongst top racers helped the product and the company's popularity grow like wildfire. Now, the 7AL from MSD is one of the most popular ignition systems amongst all performance race engines . The company moved to new facilities in El Paso, Texas and started to develop an extensive line of other automotive ignition products. Although the official legal name remains ACC even today, the products are sold under the name MSD Ignition in reference to their original unique multiple spark technology.
Today, 40 years after a nearly accidental start, MSD ignition is still recognized as a leader and pioneer in the automotive aftermarket performance industry. Though no longer family owned, the company has continued to pride itself on producing the highest quality ignition components, along with providing cutting edge new features. The company has seen some trouble in introducing such new features though. One incident involving "slew rate rev limiters" as a form of basic traction control caused a number of the company's products to be banned from a variety of sanctioning bodies . Still, other products are mandated as required parts for certain classes in those same race organizations . In fact, in his book Custom Auto Wiring and Electrical Matt Strong says, “…The company with the most experience in the field has to be MSD, who has at least two duplicate ignitions in every NASCAR series race vehicle (cars and trucks alike).” Strong concludes, “if you want reliable high performance, splurge for MSD’s high-performance billet aluminum electronic distributor.”
Company
MSD has been based in the greater El Paso, TexasEl Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
area since its inception. Today it has facilities with more than 100000 square feet (9,290.3 m²) between two buildings on the east side of the city. Currently business and engineering are mostly based out of a building that has been with the company for more than 20 years while the US manufacturing processes are just a block away in a state-of-the-art facility .
In 2004 the original owner of the company, Jack Priegel, sold the company to a private investing firm when he decided to retire. Gryphon Investors announced that it would be purchasing the company and brought in Dan Gresham as the CEO . Since that time MSD has been sold and changed management again.
MSD has three main divisions, currently: MSD Ignition, MSD Powersports, and MSD Pro-Mag. All of these are operated out of the same facilities, but aim to serve different segments in the industry.
Awards
Hot Rod MagazineHot Rod Magazine
Hot Rod is an American monthly magazine devoted to hot rodding, —modifying automobiles for performance and appearance.-History:Hot Rod is the oldest magazine devoted to hot rodding having been published since 1948. Robert E. Petersen founded the magazine and his Petersen Publishing Company...
named MSD's 6A ignition box into its second class of the Speed Parts Hall of Fame in 2009 in recognition of how the company has helped to shape the American racing industry . MSD also received honors as the SEMA
SEMA
Specialty Equipment Market Association of the automobile aftermarket was formed in 1963 by Roy Richter, Ed Iskenderian, Willie Garner, Bob Hedman, John Bartlett, Phil Weiand, Jr., Al Segal, Dean Moon, and Vic Edelbrock, Jr...
manufacturer of the year in both 2005 and 2007 . The current president of the company, Russell Stephens, has also served on the board of directors for SEMA (2002-2006) .